• Ease into the day with a refreshing wellness session at O House, followed by a tasty continental breakfast.

• Jump into the first workshop of the retreat: Perspective 101. Rob will guide you through the basics of perspective, laying the foundation that will support your work throughout the week. In this hands-on session, you will learn about why perspective is important, the X, Y, and Z coordinate, the horizon line, vanishing points, and more.

• Relax, chat, and enjoy a tasty lunch prepared in-house by our private chef.

• In the afternoon, dive into the day’s second workshop: an in-depth class on one point perspective. You will learn to use a single vanishing point to accurately capture a variety of subjects, such as buildings, basic shapes, organic shapes, inclined surfaces, and more. Rob will teach you how to use strings to understand one point perspective, simplifying the process.

• In the evening, you will have some down time before helping yourself to a hearty dinner cooked in-house by our private chef.

• After a hearty continental breakfast, you will head to the coast for a guided nature hike. Walk on dramatic coastal bluffs, enjoying panoramic views of the Atlantic. You’ll watch surfers tackling the waves, learn about the local flora and fauna, and chat with your cohort as you explore Ericeira’s natural beauty.

• Return to O House for a workshop on two point perspective. In this class, Rob will walk you through how to add a second vanishing point. This class will be informative and fun, helping you expand your illustration skills with tips and tricks from a master in perspective.

• Refuel with a delicious lunch at O House.

• The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy - during this unstructured free time, you may relax by the pool, go shopping in Ericeira village, or hit the beach.

• For dinner, take your pick of Ericeira’s numerous restaurants and enjoy the local flavors.

• We will have the option to regroup in town to enjoy sunset at the Mar da Latas Wine Bar. Sip a glass of wine on the wall overlooking the Atlantic and marvel at the stunning Ericeira sunset.

• Energize your mind and body with a wellness session first thing in the morning. Whether it be yoga, meditation, or breathwork, this class is designed to ground you in the present and help you start your day refreshed.

• Enjoy a continental breakfast, and then begin a workshop on three point perspective. Building on the skills you have practiced over the last few days, this workshop will allow you to understand what happens when you add a third vanishing point. Rob will demonstrate how to use strings to unlock third point perspective, and you will practice sketching a city landscape with these new techniques.

• Help yourself to a hearty meal cooked in-house by our private chef.

• Return to your sketching in the afternoon with another workshop. In this session, you will bring together everything you have learned thus far, drawing a full illustration combining various techniques. You will test your new skills by drawing objects at various angles, and will also learn how to capture the interior perspective of a room.

• Unwind with a tasty dinner in-house.

• After breakfast, you will head out on another guided hike, this time to the Lizandro River. This hike will introduce you to another side of Ericeira’s landscapes: verdant hills overlooking the winding river. Stretching above peaceful farmland and riparian zones, the path will bring you toward the sea, where the morning’s adventure will conclude and you will return to O House energized for the day ahead.

• Back at O House, you will dive into an immersive workshop on value and light. Learn what value is in illustration and how to achieve different values with a variety of materials. Rob will also explain how light affects objects, providing opportunities to practice and play as you sketch.

• Help yourself to a hearty in-house lunch.

• In the afternoon, you will tour Mafra Palace, an enormous Baroque and Neoclassical palace and monastery. As you wander the ornate halls, you will immerse yourself in the history, art, and culture of Portugal.

• Head back to O House for dinner and well-deserved relaxation after a busy day.

• Stretch out and find your zen in a morning wellness session, and then enjoy a slow breakfast with your cohort.

• After breakfast, you will head to Óbidos, a charming village surrounded by a medieval wall and castle. Located about 50 minutes north of Ericeira, Óbidos is one of Portugal’s most iconic sites. Not only is it rich with history and medieval architecture, but it is also a UNESCO City of Literature, housing 14 bookstores.

• In Óbidos, you will synthesize everything you have learned as you sketch your final project. Find inspiration amongst winding cobblestone streets and storefronts. You will have around two hours to explore and sketch before regrouping for lunch at a local restaurant as a cohort. During lunch, Rob will provide pointers and mentorship. With Rob’s guidance, return to your sketching after lunch and continue to bring your final project to life.

• Return to O House for a festive farewell dinner and closing circle - the perfect send-off after a wonderful retreat.

• Enjoy a slow breakfast together, and take pride in your achievements over the course of the retreat. Over the past 5 days, you have explored beautiful pockets of Portugal, connected with liked-minded artists, and sketched a variety of pieces brimming with new techniques, inspiration, and passion.

• We will transfer you to the airport for your departure, ensuring a stress-free transition back into your day-to-day life.

Do I need to have previous illustration experience?
This retreat is designed for all skill levels!

What can I expect to learn from these workshops?
Rob’s workshops provide a deep dive into the topic of perspective. You will learn about one, two, and three point perspective, as well as value and light. Rob will teach you his unique method for sketching perfect perspective and will guide you every step of the way.

Do I need to bring my own materials?
Most materials are included in the retreat. You will receive a cork board, elastic strings, thumbtacks, and paperclips. Pens, pencils, and paper are not included - bring whatever you feel comfortable and confident with! We highly suggest bringing paper with a thickness of over 190 gsm.

Do you offer airport transfer? Which airport should I fly into?
Yes! Airport transfers are included in the ticket price. You should fly into the Lisbon airport, which is only a 40 minute drive from O House.

What does a typical day look like?
Although each day looks different, there are some core themes and activities throughout each day of the retreat. Each day starts either with an optional wellness session (yoga, breathwork, and/or meditation), or a guided nature hike. We provide a continental breakfast at O House every day. After the morning activity, Rob will teach a workshop, and then you will eat lunch. After lunch, we have another activity block, which will be either a workshop or activity. Finally, we wrap up with dinner and time together as a group.

How do I reserve my spot?
We handle all bookings over email. All you have to do is click on one of the “Book Now” buttons and follow the prompts to send your message. We’ll be in touch shortly to answer questions and get you all registered!

Where can I find your Terms and Conditions?
For detailed information about our policies, including booking terms, cancellations, and liability, please refer to our full Terms and Conditions. You can access them by clicking here.​